Its birthday time soon and i have been looking at a new paddle for a few months to replace the axe i use now...i like coreban paddles but haven't tested too many others. Heard alot about the shaka puu and nalu by kialoa.
90% surf...........im a fairly fit 90kg and dont mind the bigger bight of the wider blade.
what do you think?
thanks
You'll love a nice light paddle to replace the axe !
So many good options now. I doubt anyone is brave enough to state which is the best !!
Kia Kaha are near you, Aussie Made, and available through Blue Water in Noosa Village/Junction.
Kialoa do good paddles, the stickers say Made in USA.
Quick Blade.... and more....
A guy on this forum also makes a nice paddle, and can be argued to be the lightest in the world.
A stiffer shaft delivers better power. Test shaft stiffness in the shops.... The RDS, Reduced Diameter Shaft on the cheaper entry level Naish Paddle looks great, and is fine, but it has more flex than say a Kialoa Shaft. But Kialoa costs more....
Refer to Downwinder's quote, "if you wanna play, you have to pay".
I like the methane, but the JL fiberglass paddle is great for everyday paddling to reduce shoulder soreness for us older folks. Great for trips away/holidays etc.
Everyone I know who has owned a kialoa has snapped atleast one...
recently a mate after only 8 sessions snapped his shaka puu paddling for a wave
last i heard, shop in north syd is questioning whether to replace or repair
(at 500 bucks you'd think it would be no brainer straight swap for a newy)
...and even went as far to say maybe the paddler is too powerful for paddle...?
seen the size of some of them hawiian dudes..?
I love my kialoa paddles, methane and nalu. couldn't imagine a reason to give them up, except maybe to snap one after a handful of sessions and then be told my wimpy ass is too strong for them...
had a go of a kia kaha in indo, the blade was bigger than the methane i had, the shaft felt stiffer and more substantial than the kialoa and the blade had this trippy psychadelic design set into it.
plus it was made in aus...
IMO - Kia Kaha is the best allround paddle I have ever used. My missus and I both use them and all my mates as well (both of them )
They are strong/light (but not too light) and and can be custom coloured and sized to suit - I think they are also probably the cheapest premium paddle on the market.. We have put ours through absolute hell and they have never ever let us down.
Quickblade really nice light paddle no flutter due to diathernal and eva handle is real comfy. Only brand I have owned that I have not snapped. Have owned kialoa, select, starboard.
thanks heaps guys
so it seems to be down to the Shaka puu or the Kia kaha
shaka puu doesnt have a dihedral thingy is that an issue?
Kialoa Paddles are not worth the money they are heavy + zig zag with every pull = wasted energy means less glide. The C4 Paddles are a good paddle but to thick in their shaft. The qb paddles are the ants pants of all paddles expensive but worth their money in GOLD = lite - clean water entry - smooth - pulls plenty of water - no strain on da body.
But the qb Dimple Dipper racer is not worth two bob just a con sell.
If anyone has a problem with there KIALOA if you contact me I will send you a new shaft as long as you send me the old broken one. KIALOA have a manufacturing warrranty. I hope you all have a great day.
Cheers
Sam
0415769218
ok lads
the birthday came today ( 45 ...ouch )
my wife searched hi and low cause i am a really fussy she thinks...whatever :)
...not in stock, wrong size, ugly, poorly made..... was it the right paddle...?
the result was she chose a Quick Blade elite race 100 or so :) 8/34 inches wide...nice grab.
tested at Noosa in some nice waves today. Fantastic paddle..nice finish, well put together.
thanks for all the feedback...i really appreciate it.
the old axe is living in the garage :)...thats the old paddle not my wife lol
Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.
Hey Downwinder, So QB offers a 100% warrantee? I didn't get any help with my paddle mate. Perhaps it's just my bad luck. As I said I did love that paddle. I've had it professionally repaired and now my wife uses it. Kinda hands off for me.
All paddles can break.
Especially when you mix SUP boards, carbon paddles, waves and wipeouts.
This IS the ocean we are playing in.
Any surf equipment will fail when you mix it up in the wrong conditions.
Giving a 100% guarantee that gear wont break when you play in the ocean would put anyone out of business pretty quickly.
If it is a manufacturing defect you will find all reputable brands will back their product 100%. Get rolled however or take a bad wipeout and that is part of the game.
The problem with carbon is you can whack it one day and it can fail later under normal conditions. We find that most manufacturing defect show up very soon after purchase.
Fortunately for Quickblade our warranty claim rate on snapped shafts is negligible.
AA